Weaker sick rat

Question
I'd like to know your opinion on when a rat is suffering. I've owned quite a few and as a student, I can't afford a vet visit (an examination is 60 dollars per rat, plus treatment. Give me a break).

Most of my rats have passed on fairly quickly. My latest sick rat, Kahlua, is about 18 months old and has been losing weight over the last few weeks. She also has labored breathing and reduced appetite. She's been this way for a month or two now, and other than one episode of very heavy breathing (I thought she was ready to go) 2 weeks ago she's been fine. Still active and playful, loves to come out of her cage, play, etc.

I know she's sick and that rats are pretty stoic when it comes to pain, but when is a good time to say enough is enough? When she isn't moving or showing obvious "attacks"?

I also have a 30 month old who has very little mobility in her back legs but she is probably the most active of all 4. She is a little weezy in her lungs but she never stops moving. I keep her bum clean and she's quite content.

Anyway, just thought I would ask what you think. I understand the only one who knows for certain they are in pain is the rat, but my outlook is if they are choosing to remain active and social that whatever pain they are in is worth it. Ratties can love life just as much if not more than we can, I think. :)

Thanks for any feedback you might have.

Matt

Answer
Hi Matt

Your right to assume that when the rat chooses to remain active and social that they are probably feeling at least "fair".   A suffering rat will stop eating and showing interest in things that they usually look forward to doing, such as play time out of the cage, eating treats they only get on occasion, stuff like that. You will also know your rat is not well by the way they sometimes can become very active, almost impatient, like nothing is satisfying to them and they are very restless. They may also assume strange sleeping/resting positions, such as hanging their head and shoulders over a higher balcony or ledge in their cage and sometimes they seek higher ground in the cage, going to the highest level possible. Also, gasping and heavy breathing is very scary for the rat to have to endure, so should this continue more than a few minutes, its time to go to the Vets to put her down.
Gnawing frantically at the cage bars, walking about the cage or outside the cage as if they are restless and hyper, these are all signs of respiratory distress and means the rat is not getting enough oxygen. You will know when its time when the rat is simply so weak and lethargic she cannot lift her head up. You can see the loss of spark in their eyes.
Humane euthanasia is the kindest action.

I do suggest though that perhaps you should start a fund for medical treatment for the rats. $60 per rat is pretty high and most vets do not charge individually like that. Some vets are just greedy and its time to move on to another vet if thats the case. You can also work out a payment plan with many clinics. A good vet will not allow finances to stand in the way of making the choice between not treating a treatable rat or death.
Providing medical care for your rats when they are sick is part of the package when having pets, regardless of the species. Your 18 month old rat is too young to be so sick that euthanasia may be the only route when she can be treated easily with proper antibiotics. Most rats live to be closer to 3 years old. She is only half way there.